ARTICLES ABOUT COUNTRIES BY DATE - PAGE 2

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has directed the Environment Ministry (MoEF) and Indian Bureau of Mines to submit a complete list of asbestos mines in the entire country with their status. A bench headed by Justice U D Salvi directed MoEF and the Bureau to inform about the present status of the mines, specifically with regard to their scientific closure and produce complete records in relation to it. "The MoEF and Indian Bureau of Mines shall file list of asbestos mines located in the entire country and their present status, particularly as regards scientific closure of such mines....

PESHAWAR: Russia, unlike some other nations, does not see Pakistan as a part of terrorism menace but a key player in eradicating it from the world, Russia's envoy to the country said today, amid improving ties between the two Cold War rivals. "Terrorism is not an issue of a single nationality, rather an international phenomenon in which people of many states and nationalities are involved," Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Alexy Dedov said. "Unlike some other countries, Russia does not see Pakistan as a part of the problem (terrorism)

NEW DELHI: India's reform drive and economic momentum could give plenty of growth opportunities to India's top corporates, according to three articles that Standard & Poor's Ratings Services published as part of a special report, titled "India Credit Spotlight. " But many corporates are waiting for the government to put policy into action before investing further. Overall, we believe the view of India as a global bright spot for investing appears fully justified from a credit risk perspective.

NEW DELHI: Drug firm Suven Life Sciences has been granted patents each by Canada , Japan and Korea for molecules, aimed to be developed as drugs, for the treatment of neuro-degenerative diseases . The patents are valid through 2030, Suven Life Sciences said in a filing to the BSE. Commenting on the development, Suven Life CEO Venkat Jasti said: "We are very pleased by the grant of these patents to Suven for our pipeline...

NEW DELHI: Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit today continued holding consultations for the third consecutive day with separatist leaders from Jammu and Kashmir during which he sought their help for building an environment of peace in the sub-continent . The first delegation was led by former chairman of moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference Abdul Gani Bhat which was followed by a team of hardline Hurriyat led by...

NEW DELHI: The government plans to rope in private firms for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's big diplomatic push to 'Act East Policy', with its proposed special purpose vehicle for investments in Cambodia, Myanmar , Laos and Vietnam set to offer up to 51 per cent stake to the private sector. The SPV is envisaged to establish industrial zones in these countries, where Indian companies, particularly small and medium enterprises, will set up manufacturing units. "The private sector will hold up to 51 per cent in the SPV while the balance equity will be held by the government," a senior government official told ET. The government has identified the east as its key focus area and accorded relations with countries in the region top priority.

WASHINGTON: A majority of people in emerging and developing nations say the internet is good for spreading education, reveals a new survey done across 32 countries. A majority also see the internet as a good influence on personal relationships and the economy but offer a mixed view on other impacts, the Pew Global Attitudes survey showed. "Once online, internet users in emerging and developing nations have embraced socialising as their most preferred type of digital activity," the report said.

BHUBANESWAR: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said India was planning to export defence materials and training military personnel of at least 38 countries. "At least 38 countries are sending their defence personnel for training in India. We are encouraging them. We are giving them more slots. We are also considering to supply some sort of defence materials through export or through line of credit to the countries so that they can depend on India for their defence," Parrikar told reporters at the sideline of an international conference here.

NEW DELHI: The Narendra Modi government has initiated the process of pruning the number of tribunals functioning in the country as many of them are performing "identical functions". The move is in tune with Modi's policy of doing away with laws and procedures which create confusion and obstruct smooth governance. The Department of Legal Affairs in the Law Ministry has written to all Union ministries and departments to furnish details of tribunals functioning under their administrative control and explain the "possibility of merging the functions of tribunals with some other tribunals".

BEIJING: At least 35 countries will join the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) by the deadline of March 31, the bank's interim chief, Jin Liqun , said on Sunday. Currently, India, Indonesia and New Zealand have expressed interest in joining the bank, he told a conference in Beijing, following a request by Britain, France, Italy and Luxembourg to become founding members. "By deadline, (we believe) 35 countries, or more, will become founding members of the bank," he said.